In the Bay Area, 53% of all low-income families are single-parent households – and 42% of those are led by women, according to the Plan Bay Area 2050 Equity Analysis Report. For many of these families, the search for safe, stable housing can feel out of reach.
In Sonoma County, where housing demand and costs are especially high, the challenge is even greater. According to the 2024 Affordable Housing Needs Report by the California Housing Partnership, 13,445 low-income renter households lack access to affordable housing.
Alondra, a single mother of three, knows this struggle firsthand. When she heard about the affordable apartments at Del Corazon in Santa Rosa, she decided to take a chance and apply.
“I wanted a safer home for my family,” she said. “My kids and I feel so lucky to live here.”
At the time, Alondra was taking steps to leave a difficult marriage – determined to find a safe, stable home for her family. When her application to Del Corazon was accepted, everything changed. For the first time, she had a home where her children could feel secure and where she could focus on her own wellbeing and future goals.
Born in Santa Rosa, Alondra spent much of her childhood moving with her family across California before eventually returning to her hometown. The constant moves left her craving the stability she never had growing up. She became the first in her family to graduate college, earning an associate’s degree in administration in 2017 – an achievement that showed her children what’s possible when perseverance meets opportunity.
When her application to Del Corazon was accepted, it changed everything. For the first time, she had a safe, stable home where her family could begin to heal. “Now I can finally care for my family,” she said. Her apartment has given her the chance to focus on her emotional wellbeing, strengthen her community ties, and look ahead to continuing her education.
“This home gives my family stability and the chance to grow.”
One of her favorite parts of Del Corazon is the sense of community. She has built relationships with neighbors, enjoys the convenience of nearby shopping centers, and appreciates the supportive management team who quickly addresses issues to keep the community safe and welcoming.
Developed by Milestone Housing with support from public and private partners, including a $1.13 predevelopment loan from Housing Trust’s Sonoma County Housing Fund, a joint partnership with Santa Rosa Metro Chamber, and TECH Fund with Google as their financing partner, Del Corazon Apartments is a project designed for low-income families like Alondra’s. Her story shows what happens when public and private partners come together – transforming investments into real homes that give households led by one parent the foundation to thrive.